Oh. is this where everyone complains about "lowest bidder"? The truth is... The contractor was the lowest bidder and in situations like this, the contractor has no choice of the material used because it's specified in the contract. Along with with the paint used, lights, just about everything used is dictated to the contractor where to buy and from whom, model #, etc.

Whatever flaws there were in the steel were enlarged by the exposure to trapped hydrogen. If the hydrogen isn't released, bolts fail, or in this case steel rods. You can reduce the risk, but you can't eliminate it. It happens with domestic steel too. So, the answer to the headline in my view is, poor manufacturing process design.

poe_zlaw:Oh. is this where everyone complains about "lowest bidder"? The truth is... The contractor was the lowest bidder and in situations like this, the contractor has no choice of the material used because it's specified in the contract. Along with with the paint used, lights, just about everything used is dictated to the contractor where to buy and from whom, model #, etc.

The california government didn't call for H in the bolts, they just picked the contractor who was likely to deliver crap. I'd also like to point out these are the same decision makers liberals are counting on to engineer a perfect society.

relcec:poe_zlaw: Oh. is this where everyone complains about "lowest bidder"? The truth is... The contractor was the lowest bidder and in situations like this, the contractor has no choice of the material used because it's specified in the contract. Along with with the paint used, lights, just about everything used is dictated to the contractor where to buy and from whom, model #, etc.

The california government didn't call for H in the bolts, they just picked the contractor who was likely to deliver crap. I'd also like to point out these are the same decision makers liberals are counting on to engineer a perfect society.

Really? Legislators = bridge engineers?I must say, it's once again proof of California's forward thinking. If legislators can do that job, there's no need to keep the Caltrans engineers on the payroll = saving tax payer money.If they continue like that, I might move back there again.

Animatronik:moshi8: PacificaFitz: fat boy: Read a comment that they used cheap steel from China. Anyone know if true?

they got a lot of the steel from china, but that was for the structure and foundation. The bolts that are breaking right now came from Ohio

And the steel parts from China was overseen by CalTrans engineers sent to China. I know someone that was there for over a year (or maybe it just seemed like it) working away.

Its amazing that they'd use Chinese steel for this project.

The General Contractor for the whole bridge job is a Chinese firm. Thank you, Ahnold.

When are we going to learn? Chinese engineering is a joke. There's a reason why they cannot import any of their cars to any European country, and theres a reason why they see 50,000 or more people killed every time theres an earthquake. Apartment buildings, and I mean really big ones, regularly spontaneously collapse in China several times a year.

We really need to return steel production to the US. We have the ore, and we have the people with the know-how.

Deathfrogg:When are we going to learn? Chinese engineering is a joke. There's a reason why they cannot import any of their cars to any European country, and theres a reason why they see 50,000 or more people killed every time theres an earthquake. Apartment buildings, and I mean really big ones, regularly spontaneously collapse in China several times a year.

We really need to return steel production to the US. We have the ore, and we have the people with the know-how.

Amen. That doesn't only go for steel production, though.Unfortunately, too many people aren't willing to pay a bit more for a locally made product and don't realize they frequently end up spending more in repair, replacement and injuries.

Deathfrogg:Animatronik: moshi8: PacificaFitz: fat boy: Read a comment that they used cheap steel from China. Anyone know if true?

they got a lot of the steel from china, but that was for the structure and foundation. The bolts that are breaking right now came from Ohio

And the steel parts from China was overseen by CalTrans engineers sent to China. I know someone that was there for over a year (or maybe it just seemed like it) working away.

Its amazing that they'd use Chinese steel for this project.

The General Contractor for the whole bridge job is a Chinese firm. Thank you, Ahnold.

When are we going to learn? Chinese engineering is a joke. There's a reason why they cannot import any of their cars to any European country, and theres a reason why they see 50,000 or more people killed every time theres an earthquake. Apartment buildings, and I mean really big ones, regularly spontaneously collapse in China several times a year.

We really need to return steel production to the US. We have the ore, and we have the people with the know-how.

Like I commented in the Reddit thread on this, if the design of this bridge is such that slightly defective materials are going to cause it to fall apart, then the bridge has been designed poorly. This bridge (and all modern constructions) should be designed to use the crappiest materials available just to build in extra safety and longevity. Overbuild overbuild overbuild. The costs of doing so are wildly overshadowed by reduced maintenance and the need for replacement more frequently. This bridge is crap and I, for one, will not be crossing it.

poe_zlaw:Oh. is this where everyone complains about "lowest bidder"? ........

Always wonder about that little bit of cognitive dissonance here on Fark. I've previously noticed that some of the same people complaining about that were also the ones whining about Haliburton getting no-bid contracts.

Always wonder about that little bit of cognitive dissonance here on Fark. I've previously noticed that some of the same people complaining about that were also the ones whining about Haliburton getting no-bid contracts.

Not that I've complained about either but do you really not see why both are problems?